Stephen Rea facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stephen Rea
Rea at JDIFF 2012
Born	1946 (age 78–79) Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
Education	Queen's University Belfast Abbey Theatre School
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1962–present
Spouse(s)	Dolours Price ​ ​ (m. 1983; div. 2003)​
Children	2

Stephen Rea (born in 1946) is a famous actor from Ireland. He has acted in many plays and movies. Stephen was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

He started his acting career in Dublin with the Focus Theatre group. He performed in many plays and on Irish television. People around the world noticed him after he starred in the 1992 movie The Crying Game. This film was made by Irish director Neil Jordan.

Stephen Rea has worked with Neil Jordan many times. He appeared in other films like Interview with the Vampire (1994), Michael Collins (1996), and Breakfast on Pluto (2005). He also had a main role in the TV show The Shadow Line in 2011.

As a stage actor, he is well-known for his shows at The Gate and Abbey theatres in Dublin. He also performed at the Royal Court Theatre in London. Stephen Rea helped start the Field Day Theatre Company with writer Brian Friel.

He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The Crying Game (1992). He also won a BAFTA Award in 2015 for his part in The Honourable Woman. In 2020, The Irish Times newspaper said he was the 13th greatest Irish film actor ever.

Stephen Rea's Early Life and Education

Stephen Rea was born in Belfast in 1946. His father was a bus driver, and his mother stayed at home. His family was Protestant, but they supported Irish nationalism, which means they wanted Ireland to be independent.

He studied English at Queen's University Belfast. He also studied drama at the Abbey Theatre School in Dublin.

Stephen Rea's Acting Career

Stage Performances and Theatre Work

Stephen Rea became friends with playwright Stewart Parker when they were students. In the late 1970s, he acted with the Focus Theatre in Dublin. Other actors like Gabriel Byrne and Colm Meaney were also part of this group.

In 1980, Stephen Rea helped create the Field Day Theatre Company. He started it with famous writers like Brian Friel, Seamus Heaney, and Tom Paulin.

He also became friends with American playwright Sam Shepard in the early 1970s. Stephen Rea starred in Shepard's first play as a director, Geography of a Horse Dreamer, in 1974. This play was shown at the Royal Court Theatre. Later, in 2007, Rea worked with the Abbey Theatre and Sam Shepard again. He appeared in Shepard's plays Kicking a Dead Horse (2007) and Ages of the Moon (2009). Both plays later moved to New York. In 2009, Rea returned to the Abbey Theatre to perform in a new play called Tales of Ballycumber by Sebastian Barry.

In 2014, Stephen Rea starred in Enda Walsh's play Ballyturk. He also played the character Jordan in the movie Out of the Dark. In this movie, he acted alongside Julia Stiles and Scott Speedman.

Film and Television Roles

Stephen Rea in 2010

Stephen Rea became known around the world when he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. This was for his role in the 1992 film The Crying Game, directed by Neil Jordan. He often works with Neil Jordan. He has been in many of Jordan's other films, such as Interview with the Vampire (1994), Michael Collins (1996), and Breakfast on Pluto (2005).

In 2011, Rea played the bad guy, Gatehouse, in the BBC crime show The Shadow Line. In 2023, he appeared in the movie The Miracle Club as Frank, the husband of Eileen, played by Kathy Bates.

Voice Acting Work

From 1988 to 1994, there was a rule in Britain that stopped Gerry Adams from speaking on TV or radio. Stephen Rea was hired to speak Adams's words during this time.

In April 2012, Stephen Rea read James Joyce's short story The Dead on RTÉ Radio 1. He also narrated a BBC Radio 4 show called Ulysses on June 16, 2012, for Bloomsday.

Awards and Recognition for Stephen Rea

Stephen Rea has been nominated for many important awards. These include the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Tony Award. He has won two BAFTA Awards and three Irish Film and Television (IFTA) Awards.

He was nominated for a BAFTA Award and the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The Crying Game (1992).

In 2004, Stephen Rea received special degrees from Queen's University Belfast and the Ulster University. These degrees were given to him to celebrate his important work in theatre and acting.

He won a BAFTA Award in 2015 for his part in The Honourable Woman. In 2020, The Irish Times newspaper named him the 13th greatest Irish film actor of all time.

Stephen Rea's Other Activities

As of 2012, Stephen Rea was an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. This means he helped promote UNICEF's work to help children.

Stephen Rea's Personal Life

From 1983 to 2003, Stephen Rea was married to Dolours Price. They had two sons together. They divorced in 2003.

As of 2020, Stephen Rea lives in County Donegal, Ireland.

Stephen Rea's Filmography

Film

Television

Stage